Connecting module for communication

ABSTRACT

A connecting module comprises a body, a housing and a transmission device disposed in the body. The transmission device comprises a fixed element having a guiding slot, a slider and a movable bar. The movable bar drives the slider to horizontally move along the guiding slot, to disengage the body from the housing.

BACKGROUND

The invention relates to a connecting module, and in particular to aconnecting module for communication.

In general, a communication device, such as a hub, needs an opticalreceiver/transmitter module to convert optical signals into electricalsignals or other functional signals. The optical receiver/transmittermodule comprises a housing and an optoelectronic transceiver configuredto connect to a communication device by plug-and-play/hot-plug.

In FIG. 5A, a conventional optical receiver/transmitter module 5 has abody 51 and an optoelectronic transceiver 52 disposed in the body 51. Abump 511 and a sliding element 512 are formed on the front of the bottomsurface of the body 51. In FIG. 5B, a communication device 7 has aconnecting element 71 formed with a connecting hole 711. When theoptical receiver/transmitter module 5 is engaged with the communicationdevice 7, the bump 511 of the body 51 is coupled to the connecting hole711 of the communication device 7. To separate the opticalreceiver/transmitter module 5 from the communication device 7, thesliding element 512 of the optical receiver/transmitter module 51 mustbe pushed toward the connecting element 71 of the communication device7, to separate the bump 511 of the body 51 and the connecting hole 711of the communication device 7.

However, the sliding element 512 of the body 51 cannot automaticallyreturn to an initial position when the body 51 is disengaged from thecommunication device 7. It is inconvenient for the user to reinsert themodulated body 51 into the communication device 7.

FIG. 5C shows the relationship between the optical receiver/transmittermodule 5 and two vertically juxtaposed communication devices 7. Becausethe sliding element 512 is not extended from the front edge of the body51 and the action of pushing the sliding element 512 is hindered by theadjacent module 5, the optical receiver/transmitter module 5 pluggedinto one of the juxtaposed communication devices 7 cannot be easilyremoved by merely pushing the sliding element 512.

SUMMARY

The invention provides an optical transceiver or a connecting modulewith a detachable structure to increase utility of removing acommunication device from the optical transceiver.

The optical transceiver of the invention also eliminates the difficultyof removing the optical transceiver from a group of juxtaposedcommunication devices.

Still, the invention further provides another optical transceiver with adetachable structure to conveniently swap a desired optical transceiverfrom a group of juxtaposed communication devices and to reduce theinterference therebetween.

The connecting module of the invention comprises a body, a housing and atransmission device. The transmission device disposed in the bodycomprises a fixed element, a slider movably supported by the fixedelement, and a movable bar driving the slider to horizontally move. Thebody can remain at a constant volume and be detachably connected to thehousing by the transmission device under lever principle to eliminatethe interference therebetween.

Specifically, the connecting module further comprises a protrusion whichis formed on the fixed element or the body and embedded in a throughhole of the housing to engage or disengage the body and housing by theslider of the transmission device.

In another embodiment of the invention, the connecting module does notneed the fixed element and the protrusion is directly formed on thebody.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention can be more fully understood by reading the subsequentdetailed description and examples with references made to theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1A is a schematic view of a connecting module of the firstembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 1B is an exploded view of a body of the connecting module of FIG.1A;

FIGS. 1C to 1E are views showing the operation of the connecting moduleof FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2A is a schematic view of a connecting module of the secondembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2B is an exploded view of a body of the connecting module of FIG.2A;

FIG. 3A is a schematic view of a connecting module of a third embodimentof the invention;

FIG. 3B is an exploded view of a body of the connecting module of FIG.3A;

FIG. 4A is a schematic view of a connecting module of a fourthembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4B is an exploded view of a body of the connecting module of FIG.4A;

FIG. 5A is a sectional view of a conventional opticalreceiver/transmitter module;

FIG. 5B is a perspective view showing a conventional opticalreceiver/transmitter module connected to a communication device; and

FIG. 5C is a perspective view showing a conventional opticalreceiver/transmitter module and two vertically juxtaposed communicationdevices.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B, a connecting module or an electricaltransceiver 1 of the first embodiment of the invention comprises adetachable body 11 having an engaging slot 111, a slider 12 having afastening slot 121 and a slanted surface 122 at one end thereof, a fixedelement 13, a movable bar 14 having a fastening portion 141, and ahousing 15 having an opening 150, an elastic piece 151 and a throughhole 152 formed on the elastic piece 151.

As shown in FIG. 1B, the body 11 includes a first part 11 a and a secondpart 11 b, and the body 11 is received in the housing 15 via the opening150. The fixed element 13 has a guiding slot 131, a protrusion 132, twoengaging portions 133 and a recess 134. The slider 12, the fixed element13 and the movable bar 14 are engaged together to serve as atransmission device of the connecting module 1.

The second part 11 b of the body 11 comprises a connecting hole 16, acircuit board 17 and a connecting head 18. The engaging slot 111 isformed on the two parallel sidewalls which define the connecting hole16, and the connecting head 18 is disposed in the connecting-hole 16.

When the circuit board 17 is connected to the connecting head 18, themovable bar 14 can be rested on the connecting head 18, to dispose thefastening portion 141 of the movable bar 14 on one side of theconjunction between the circuit board 17 and the connecting head 18. Theconnecting head 18 which is connected with the circuit board 17 and themovable bar 14 is then disposed in the body 11. After that, the slider12 is guided into the guiding slot 131 of the fixed element 13, and theslanted surface 122 of the slider 12 is pressed against the protrusion132 of the fixed element 13. The fixed element 13 is passed through thefastening portion 141 of the movable bar 14, and the engaging portions133 of the fixed element 13 is engaged with the engaging slot 111 of thebody 11, wherein the protrusion 132 of the fixed element 13 faces thecircuit board 17. Finally, the fastening portion 141 of the movable bar14 is connected to the fastening slot 121 of the slider 12 and therecess 134 of the fixed element 13.

With reference to FIGS. 1C, 1D and 1E, according to the lever principle,the slider 12 can be moved by the movable bar 14. FIG. 1C shows that themovable bar 14 is located at a first position, where the slider 12 isfar from the protrusion 132 of the fixed element 13, and the elasticpiece 151 of the housing 15 is embedded in the clearance between theslider 12 and the protrusion 132 of the fixed element 13. That is, theprotrusion 132, at least partially, penetrates the through hole 152 ofthe housing 15 and is exposed to the exterior. Therefore, the housing 15is securely connected to the body 11. Additionally, the body 11 canreceive an externally connecting head of a communication device (notshown) via the connecting hole 16 of the body 11.

FIG. 1D shows the movable bar 14 is located at a second position, wherethe protrusion 132 of the fixed element 13 is disengaged from thethrough hole 152 of the housing 15. The recess 134 of the fixed element13 functions as a supporting point to support the fastening portion 141.Under the lever principle, an applied force on the movable bar 14 isconverted into an active force driving the slider 12 to horizontallymove along the guiding slot 131 of the fixed element 13, and accordinglythe slanted surface 122 of the slider 12 presses against and lifts theelastic piece 151 to disengage the protrusion 132 from the through hole152. Thus the body 11, as shown in FIG. 1E can be removed from thehousing 15.

As described above, the body 11 is engaged with or disengaged from thehousing 15 by the movable bar 14. As the body 11 is removed from thehousing 15, the movable bar 14 is able to return to the first position(FIG. 1C), to engage the same or other housing.

With reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B, a connecting module or an opticaltransceiver 2, the second embodiment of the invention, comprises a body21 having a first part 21 a and a second part 21 b formed with a guidingslot 211, a protrusion 212 and a recess 213; a slider 22 having aslanted surface 221 and a fastening slot 222; a movable bar 24 having afastening portion 241; at least one optical converter 23; a housing 25having an opening 250; a block 26; and a circuit board 27. The slider 22and the movable bar 24 are connected together to serve as a transmissiondevice of the connecting module 2.

The optical converter 23 is connected with the circuit board 27 and isfixedly disposed in the second part 21 b of the body 21 by the block 26.The slider 22 is moved into the second part 21 b of the body 21 alongthe guiding slot 211 and the slanted surface 221 of the slider 22 ispressed against the protrusion 212 of the second part 21 b of the body21. Also, the fastening portion 241 of the movable bar 24 can beconnected to the fastening slot 222 of the slider 22 and the recess 213of the body 21.

In this embodiment, the movable bar 24 can move the slider 22 under thelever principle. The connecting module 2 of the second embodimentdiffers from the first embodiment in that the fixed element appeared inthe first embodiment is omitted and the protrusion 212 is directlyformed on the second part 21 b of the body 21. The components of theconnecting module 2 are fewer than that of the connecting module 1,i.e., the structure of the connecting module 2 is simplified.

With reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B, a connecting module or an opticaltransceiver 3, the third embodiment of the invention, comprises a body31 having a first part 31 a formed with a protrusion 312, and a secondpart 31 b; a slider 32 having a slanted surface 321; at least oneoptical converter 33; a movable bar 34; a housing 35 having an opening350 to receive the body 31 and a through hole 352 engaged with theprotrusion 312; a block 36; and a circuit board 37. The slider 32 andthe movable bar 34 are connected together to serve as a transmissiondevice of the connecting module 3.

The optical converter 33 is connected to the circuit board 37, and issecurely disposed in the body 31 by the block 36. The slider 32 is movedinto the second part 31 b along the guiding slot 311, and the fasteningportion 341 of the movable bar 34 is connected to the fastening slot 322of the slider 32 and the recess 313 of the second part 31 b of the body31. Finally, the first part 31 a and the second part 31 b are combinedso that the slanted surface 321 of the slider 32 is pressed against theprotrusion 312 of the first part 31 a. The protrusion 312 and the firstpart 31 a can be integrally formed by pressing.

With reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B, a connecting module 4 of a fourthembodiment of the invention comprises a body 41, a slider 42 having aslanted surface 422, a fixed element 43, a movable bar 44 and a housing45. The slider 42, the fixed element 43 and the movable bar 44 areconnected to serve as a transmission device of the connecting module 4.

The body 41 comprises a first part 41 a having a protrusion 432, and asecond part 41 b having a connecting hole 46, a circuit board 47 and aconnecting head 48. An engaging slot 411 is formed on the two parallelsidewalls which define the connecting hole 46, and the connecting head48 disposed in the connecting hole 46 is connected to the circuit board47. The protrusion 432 and the first part 41 a can be integrally formedby pressing.

When the circuit board 47 is connected to the connecting head 48, themovable bar 44 can be rested on the connecting head 48, to dispose thefastening portion 441 of the movable bar 44 on one side of theconjunction between the circuit board 47 and the connecting head 48. Theconnecting head 48 connected with the circuit board 47 and the movablebar 44 is then disposed in the second part 41 b. After that, the slider42 is guided into the guiding slot 431 of the fixed element 43. Thefixed element 43 is passed through the fastening portion 441 of themovable bar 44, and the engaging portions 433 of the fixed element 43 isengaged with the engaging slot 411 of the second part 41 b of the body41. Then the fastening portion 441 is engaged with the fastening slot421 and the recess 434 in the second part 31 b. Finally, the slantedsurface 422 of the slider 42 is pressed against the protrusion 432 ofthe first part 41 a of the body 41, wherein the protrusion 432 faces thecircuit board 47.

According to the invention as described above, the connecting module canuse a single housing to connect exterior circuit board, or use aplurality of juxtaposed housings to connect exterior circuit board.Also, the shape of the protrusion is not limited to the describedembodiments, but, on the contrary, the protrusion is formed with a shapecorresponding to the through hole of the housing.

While the invention has been described with respect to preferredembodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not limitedthereto, but, on the contrary, is intended to accommodate variousmodifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit andscope of the appended claims.

1. A connecting module comprising: a body comprising a protrusion and atransmission device disposed in the body; and a housing comprising anopening to receive the body, wherein the body is detachably connected tothe housing by the transmission device.
 2. The connecting module asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises a through holecorresponding to and detachably engaged with the protrusion of the body.3. The connecting module as claimed in claim 2, wherein the transmissiondevice comprises a slider with a slanted surface at one end thereof topress against the protrusion.
 4. The connecting module as claimed inclaim 3, wherein the transmission device further comprises a movablebar; the slider comprises a fastening slot; and the body furthercomprises at least one recess, wherein the movable bar comprises afastening portion to connect with the fastening slot and the recessfunctions as a supporting point to support the fastening portion so thatthe movable bar is able to move the slider.
 5. The connecting module asclaimed in claim 4, wherein when the movable bar is located at a firstposition, the protrusion is engaged with the through hole; and when themovable bar is located at a second position, the protrusion isdisengaged from the through hole.
 6. The connecting module as claimed inclaim 3, wherein the body further comprises a guiding slot for guidingthe slider to move, and at least one connecting hole for connecting withan external connecting head.
 7. The connecting module as claimed inclaim 1 further comprising at least one converter and at least onecircuit board in the body.
 8. The connecting module as claimed in claim1, wherein the connecting module is an electrical transceiver module oran optical transceiver module.
 9. The connecting module as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the body has a first part and a second part, thetransmission device is disposed in the second part, and the protrusionis formed on the second part.
 10. The connecting module as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the body has a first part and a second part, thetransmission device is disposed in the second part, and the protrusionis integrally formed with the first part as a single unit.
 11. Aconnecting module comprising: a body comprising a protrusion and atransmission device disposed therein, wherein the transmission devicecomprises a slider and a movable bar for moving the slider,; and ahousing comprising an opening for receiving the body, wherein the bodyis detachably connected to the housing by the transmission device. 12.The connecting module as claimed in claim 11, wherein the housingfurther comprises an elastic piece and a through hole which is formed onthe elastic piece and corresponding to the protrusion of the body, andthe movable bar is to drive the slider to approach or move away from theelastic piece.
 13. The connecting module as claimed in claim 12, whereinthe slider comprise a slanted surface at one end thereof to pressagainst the elastic piece.
 14. The connecting module as claimed in claim11, wherein the body further comprises a guiding slot for guiding theslider to move, at least one connecting hole for connecting with anexternal connecting head, and at least one circuit board disposedtherein.
 15. The connecting module as claimed in claim 14, wherein themovable bar is longitudinally moved along the connecting hole and drivesthe slider to move laterally.
 16. The connecting module as claimed inclaim 11, wherein the connecting module is an electrical transceivermodule or optical transceiver module.
 17. The connecting module asclaimed in claim 11, wherein the movable bar comprises a fasteningportion, the slider comprises a fastening slot connected to thefastening portion, and the body comprises at least one recessfunctioning as a supporting point to support the fastening portion sothat the movable bar is able to move the slider.
 18. The connectingmodule as claimed in claim 11, wherein the body further comprises afixed element for supporting the slider to move, and the protrusion isformed on the fixed element.
 19. A connecting module comprising: a bodycomprising a first part and a second part, wherein a protrusion isformed on the first part or the second part; and a transmission devicedisposed in the body, comprising a slider and a movable bar for movingthe slider to approach or move away from the protrusion.
 20. Theconnecting module as claimed in claim 19 further comprising a housingincluding an elastic piece and a through hole formed on the elasticpiece, wherein the through hole is detachably engaged with theprotrusion of the body.